SARS Travel Declaration Form: Everything You Need to Know Before You Travel

Travelling Soon? Here's What You Need to Know About the New SARS Traveller Declaration

From 1 July 2026, anyone travelling into or out of South Africa by air, land or sea will need to complete the new SARS Traveller Declaration before they travel. While it may sound like another box to tick before your trip, the digital system is designed to replace paperwork, speed up the customs process and make crossing the border simpler for travellers. Planning an international trip involves more than just booking flights and packing your bags. South African travellers should also be aware of the new SARS Traveller Declaration, a digital system designed to simplify the declaration of goods, cash and other items when entering or leaving the country. If you've ever filled in a paper customs declaration on a flight or at a border post, the concept will already be familiar. The difference is that the process is now moving online. Instead of completing forms when you arrive, you'll be able to submit your declaration before you travel, helping customs officials process travellers more efficiently while reducing paperwork at ports of entry. Here's what you need to know before your next trip.

SARS Traveller Declaration: At a glance

Effective from: 1 July 2026 - Who needs to complete it? Travellers entering or leaving South Africa by air, land or sea. - When should it be completed? Within 24 hours before entering or departing South Africa. - Why was it introduced? To digitise the customs declaration process and improve border efficiency. - Where can you complete it? Via the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), the SATMS mobile app or the SARS MobiApp.

What is the SARS Traveller Declaration?

The SARS Traveller Declaration is an online customs declaration that allows travellers to declare goods, currency and other reportable items before arriving at or leaving a South African port of entry. Rather than replacing customs checks, the system simply modernises them. By allowing declarations to be submitted electronically before travel, SARS hopes to reduce queues, improve risk management and create a smoother experience for travellers and customs officials alike. The declaration forms part of your legal obligation to declare certain goods when crossing South Africa's borders. For most travellers, however, the process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Who needs to complete the declaration?

The new requirement applies to most people travelling into or out of South Africa, whether you're a South African citizen, permanent resident or an international visitor. It covers travel by: Air Land Sea If you're travelling with children or infants, a parent, legal guardian or responsible adult must complete a separate declaration on their behalf. It's also worth noting that every traveller needs their own declaration—even if you're travelling as a family or group. One form cannot be used for multiple people. Passengers who remain in the international transit area without officially entering South Africa are generally exempt from completing the declaration.

When should you submit it?

One of the most important things to remember is timing. The declaration should be completed no more than 24 hours before entering or leaving South Africa. Waiting until you're already at the airport or border crossing could result in unnecessary delays, so it's best to complete it as part of your pre-travel checklist alongside checking in for your flight or making sure your travel documents are in order. Once you've submitted your declaration, you'll receive a confirmation email containing instructions for your arrival or departure. Keep a digital copy on your phone or print it out, as customs officials may ask to see it. How does the process work? The online declaration has been designed to be quick and straightforward. Once your travel plans are confirmed, simply log in to the declaration platform, complete the required information and submit your declaration. You'll need to provide details about your journey as well as any goods, cash or other items that must be declared. After submission, SARS will email you a confirmation with instructions specific to your trip. Depending on your declaration, you may simply proceed through customs as directed, or you may be asked to report to a customs officer for further inspection. The confirmation email effectively becomes your guide for what to do when you arrive at or depart from the relevant port of entry.

How does the process work?

The online declaration has been designed to be quick and straightforward. Once your travel plans are confirmed, simply log in to the declaration platform, complete the required information and submit your declaration. You'll need to provide details about your journey as well as any goods, cash or other items that must be declared. After submission, SARS will email you a confirmation with instructions specific to your trip. Depending on your declaration, you may simply proceed through customs as directed, or you may be asked to report to a customs officer for further inspection. The confirmation email effectively becomes your guide for what to do when you arrive at or depart from the relevant port of entry.

What do you need to declare?

For many holidaymakers, the answer may be very little. The declaration is intended for travellers carrying goods, currency or other items that fall within customs reporting requirements. This can include high-value purchases made overseas, large amounts of cash or goods that may attract customs duties. One important rule to remember relates to cash. Travellers may carry up to R100,000 (or the equivalent amount in foreign currency or certain negotiable instruments) without requiring prior approval. If you're travelling with more than that, you'll need to declare the amount and provide additional information about the source of the funds. For the average leisure traveller, this is unlikely to be an issue, but business travellers or those making significant purchases abroad should familiarise themselves with the requirements before travelling.

What happens if you forget?

Don't panic. SARS has indicated that travellers won't automatically be denied entry or departure simply because they forgot to complete the declaration before arriving at the border. If necessary, customs officials or self-service facilities at participating ports of entry will assist travellers with completing the declaration. That said, completing it beforehand remains the easiest option. It saves time, reduces paperwork and helps you avoid one more task while navigating a busy airport or border crossing.

Where can you complete the declaration?

Travellers have several options for submitting their declaration before travelling. You can complete it online through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), via the dedicated SATMS mobile app, or by using the SARS MobiApp. Whichever option you choose, remember that each traveller must submit an individual declaration using a valid email address in order to receive their confirmation.

The bottom line

The new SARS Traveller Declaration isn't an additional tax or an extra travel hurdle—it's simply a digital version of a process many international travellers have completed on paper for years. By moving declarations online before travel, SARS aims to make border crossings quicker, reduce paperwork and improve the overall customs experience. Adding the declaration to your pre-travel checklist now could save you valuable time when you arrive at your destination or return home. As with checking your passport, travel insurance and boarding pass, completing your declaration ahead of time is just another small step towards a smoother journey.